St. Julien Mountain
St. Julien Mountain is a mountain summit located in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the British Columbia-Alberta border, as well as the Continental Divide, and the west boundary of Banff National Park. Neighbors include Mount Forbes to the east-northeast, Valenciennes Mountain to the south, and Icefall Peak is to the west.
History
The mountain's toponym was proposed in 1919 by Arthur Oliver Wheeler to commemorate the hamlet of St. Julien, Belgium, where Canadian troops gallantly fought the Battle of St. Julien in 1915 during World War I. The battle was the first mass use by Germany of poison gas on the Western Front. It also marked the first time a former colonial force defeated a European power in Europe. The toponym was officially adopted in 1920 when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1930 by D. Duncan and A. F. Megrew.
Geology
St. Julien Mountain is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods. Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was pushed east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramide orogeny. Precipitation runoff drains into Mons Creek from the south slope, eventually reaching the Columbia River, and Forbes Creek from the north, a tributary of Howse River.
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, St. Julien Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Mons Icefield to the immediate north.